Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

What Michigan Turfgrass Foundation does

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) is a Michigan-incorporated nonprofit organization founded in 1957 that partners with Michigan State University to fund, support, and disseminate turfgrass research, education, and extension programs. The foundation's primary operational assets include the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the MSU campus in East Lansing — expanded from 10 to 55 acres — and a portfolio of programs including a multi-named scholarship program (e.g., the Norman W. Kramer Outstanding Scholar Award, the Robert Hancock Memorial Scholarship Award, the Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award, the Sports and Commercial Turf Award, and the C.E. "Tuck" Tate Outstanding Scholar Award), the annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference (75th edition held January 17-20, 2005), an annual Turfgrass Field Day at the Hancock Center, and a multi-tiered membership program. Member dues (Voting $90, Affiliate $25, Student $10 annually) and conference/workshop/meal fees ($50-$170 per item) are the principal revenue streams, supplemented by industry partnerships. Customers span six distinct segments — golf course professionals, sports turf managers, lawn care contractors, municipalities/parks, seed/sod growers, and homeowners — reflecting horizontal segmentation across the Michigan turfgrass value chain. The foundation holds no proprietary technology products; its core function is convening industry, funding research, and delivering continuing education through events and emerging web-based/distance learning channels. Governance rests with a volunteer Board of Directors, with Tom Smith serving as Executive Director.

Name

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

Legal name

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

Website

https://michiganturfgrass.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is a Michigan nonprofit founded in 1957 that partners with Michigan State University to fund turfgrass research, award scholarships, and deliver continuing education through annual conferences and field days for golf, sports, municipal, and lawn care professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association / Turfgrass Research Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Landscaping Services (561730)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Turf Management (Sports Fields, Golf Courses) (BPABADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Turf Care (Fertilization, Aeration & Weed/Pest Control) (IMAIAIAD), Sod, Turfgrass & Groundcover Production (AFAGAHAL)

Keywords

• Turfgrass research funding
• Professional turfgrass education
• Agricultural membership association
• Turfgrass conference services
• Agricultural scholarships

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from turfgrass professionals and enthusiasts. Voting Member: $90/year, Affiliate: $25/year, Student: $10/year. Members receive access to conferences, scholarships, and industry resources.
2. Conference and Event Registration: Revenue from the annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference and field day events. Includes workshop fees, meal tickets, and pesticide certification exam fees.
3. Workshop and Seminar Fees: Additional fees for specialized workshops offered during conferences, ranging from $55-$170 depending on the workshop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds and supports turfgrass research, education, and extension programs at Michigan State University. It operates the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, hosts the annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference and Turfgrass Field Day, awards scholarships to turfgrass students, and provides continuing education through workshops, web-based programs, and member resources. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues ($10-$90), conference/event registration, and workshop fees.

Product overview

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization supporting turfgrass research, education, and extension programs at Michigan State University. The foundation offers a portfolio of programs including a comprehensive scholarship program with multiple named awards for turfgrass management students, the annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference as a major educational event providing recertification credits, an annual Turfgrass Field Day with research tours and workshops, and a membership program for industry professionals and enthusiasts. These offerings work together to advance professional turfgrass management through education, research funding, and industry engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MTF Membership Program Annual membership program for turfgrass professionals, organizations, and enthusiasts. Tiers include Voting Member ($90/year) for full membership with voting rights, Affiliate ($25/year) for additional individuals from member organizations, and Student ($10/year) for students in turfgrass programs. Members gain access to conferences, scholarships, industry resources, and the MTF List Serve.
• Michigan Turfgrass Conference Annual four-day educational conference featuring general sessions, specialized workshops, pesticide applicator recertification points, and GCSAA education points. Tracks cover golf turf management, lawn and grounds, athletic fields, and environmental solutions. Includes networking events such as awards dinner and exhibitor/vendor show. Four-day member registration $90, non-member $130; single-day rates from $50-$60 member / $85-$105 non-member.
• Turfgrass Field Day Annual field day event offering research tours in sports and commercial turf management and golf turf management, a trade show, and afternoon workshops. Held at the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center at MSU.
• MTF Scholarship Program Scholarship program for MSU turfgrass management students offering multiple named awards: Norman W. Kramer Outstanding Scholar Award ($2,500), Robert Hancock Memorial Scholarship Award ($2,000), Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award ($2,000), Sports and Commercial Turf Award ($2,000), and C.E. 'Tuck' Tate Outstanding Scholar Award ($2,000 minimum). Awards require minimum 3.0 GPA (3.75 for Tate award) and are presented at the annual award ceremony.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Michigan State UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1957Core partnership with MSU for turfgrass research, education, and extension programs. MTF is incorporated and operates in partnership with the university, funding research at the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center and supporting MSU's Department of Crop & Soil Sciences.
• Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch facility named after Robert Hancock, whose estate funded the construction of this first-class research and education facility. Used by students, faculty, and industry professionals.
• Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for phosphorus legislation development, environmental stewardship programs, and agricultural research initiatives.
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for water policy advocacy and environmental compliance initiatives. MDEQ collaboration helps shape state water reporting requirements for golf courses and large landscape water users.
• GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCSAA provides education points for MTF conference attendees and collaborates on environmental stewardship initiatives including the GCSAA Environmental Institute.
• Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-wide environmental stewardship program developed with MDA and advocacy groups to regulate phosphorus applications through sound agronomic practices and best management practices.
• Various Industry AssociationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthern Michigan Turf Managers, Western Michigan GCSA, Mid Michigan Turf Association, Greater Detroit GCSA, Michigan Sports Turf Managers Association - local chapters hosting meetings and promoting MTF programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association (Carolinas GCSA): Regional golf-turf-focused association serving the Carolinas with education, advocacy, and networking. Comparable to MTF's golf-course member segment on a different regional basis.
• Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit supporting turfgrass research, education, and outreach. Comparable to MTF as a state-level turfgrass council serving golf, sports, and lawn care professionals with a different geography.
• California Turfgrass & Landscape Foundation: California-based nonprofit foundation funding turfgrass and landscape research and education. Directly comparable to MTF's grantmaking and research-support model in a different regional market.
• New England Sports Turf Managers Association (NESTMA): Regional association serving sports turf managers across New England. Comparable to MTF as a regional turf membership body delivering education, field days, and certification, though narrower in scope (sports turf only) and different geography.
• Texas Turfgrass Association: Texas-based turfgrass association serving golf, sports, and lawn professionals with conferences and education. Comparable to MTF as a regional turfgrass membership body, with different geography and slightly broader commercial focus.

Broad incumbents

• GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America): National association for golf course superintendents that delivers education points, environmental programs, and advocacy. MTF explicitly partners with GCSAA, indicating overlap in member audience and program offerings at a broader national scale.
• Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA): National membership association for sports turf managers offering education, certification, and conferences. Directly overlaps with MTF's sports turf manager member segment at national scale.

Direct peers

• Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (Purdue University): Indiana-based nonprofit foundation affiliated with Purdue that funds turfgrass research, education, and conferences. Directly comparable to MTF as a university-partnered regional turfgrass foundation serving golf, sports, and lawn care professionals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/miturfgrass

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michigan Turfgrass Foundation